Multiple hoisting apparatus.



A. M. GOYLB.

MULTIPLE HOIBTING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION'IILED OOT.11,1905. 954,022. Pa nted Apr. 5, 1910.

3 SHEETS-BHBBT 1.

ATTORNEY WITNESSES: v

A. M. GOYLE.

MULTIPLE HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLIOAYTION IILBD 00T.11, 1905. 954,022 Patented Apr. 5, 1910.

- 8 BHEETB-HHEET 2.

1f I II mom-n A. M. OOYLE.

MULTIPLE HOIBTING APPARATUS.

Patented Apr. 5, 1910.

3 BHEETB-BHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED 001211, 1906.

\NVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

mnnzw it. cover, or haw roan, N. v" nsswnon r0 OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY. 01'

JERSEY CITY, NEW JEEBEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MULTIPLE HOISTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 5, 1910.

Application filed October 11, 1905. Serial No. 202,234.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I ANDREW M. CoYLn, a citizen of the United t'ates, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Multi le Hoisting Ap )aratuscs, of which the 0 lowmg 1s a spool cation.

My invention relates to hoisting appara his and particularly theater curtain hoisting apparatus.

The object of my invention is the provision of simple, compact and eilicient means for raising and lowering theater curtains sin ly or in groups in any desired manner.

.5 further object of my invention is to provide one or more of the units of multiple [misting apparatus with a releasing device which shall allow the curtain to drop quickly and independently of the driving mechanism; and also to'provide such curtain with a retarding device by which the rate of speed of descent of said curtain may be varied and regulated.

Other Objects of my invention will appear hereinafter, the novel combination of elements being set forth in the claims hereto appended.

In the'accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in front elevation my multiple hoisting apparatus with an electric motor connected thereto for driving the some; Fig. 2 is a side and sectional clevational view taken on the line .-\A, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows a-rz; Fig. 3 is a similar view taken on the line B-B, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows Zr-b,- Fig. -l is a detail view; and Fig. 5 is a wiring diagrzun illustrz'tting the operation of the various apparatus singly or in groups.

In Fig. 1 is slninvn a frame-work 1 mounted on a bcd-platc 2 at the right-hand end of which is also an electric motor 3. Within the frame-work .1 arc mounted the frmnes 4, 6 for clcclronulgnclic coils or solenoids '7, 8 and S). l-letwcen the motor and framework is .-'l1(1\\-'ll a dash-pot illustrated and claimed in the patent to A. M, Coyle, #838,169, granted December 1!. 1906, improvement in dash pots.

The motor shaft 10 is extended to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 through the frame-work and is supported in hearings in said framework at 11 and 12. Distributed along the shaft 10 and keyed thereto are a series of friction driving disks 13, 14, 15, with leather, rubber or the ike, 16, 17, 18, respectively, on their peri heries. These disks are adapted to drive iction wheels 19, 20 and 21, respectively, but the latter are normally held out of engagement therewith as shown in Fig. 2. The friction wheels preferably have smooth eripheries, but ma be provided with lent er, rubber or the li e on their peripheries, if desired. Each friction wheel is partof an independent hoisting mechanism and the connections for each being substantially the same, a descri tion of that for one will suflice for all. Be erring, therefore, to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the friction wheel 20 is fixed to the shaft 22 which is mounted in a hearing at the end of the arm 32 which is pivoted on the rod 24:. This rod extends across the front of the frame-work 1, being fixed thereto at 27 and 28.

From Fig. 4. itwill be seen that the sleeve 30 which is loosely mounted on the bar or rod 24. is provided with two inwardly-extending arms, 32, 32', but only one arm may be here used if desired. The inner ends of these arms serve as bearings and supports for the shaft 22, to the ends of which are secured the friction wheel 20 and the pinion 47, the said friction wheel and pinion being mounted on the ends of the shaft 22 just outside of the arms 32, 32'. The length of the shaft is substantially equal to the length of the cylinder or sleeve 30 and the hub 33, or approximately equal in len th to the combined width of the hoisting rum 52, its gear -19, and the friction wheel 20. Fulcrumed on the rod 24 but independently of the arms 32, 32', are vertical arms 25, 35, 36., each provided with a brake-shoe 26 which is adapted to contact with the periphery of the friction wheels. Normally, strong springs 37 etl'ect a lifting of the frictionwheels from engagement with the friction disks (Fig. 2).

In Fig. 2 is shown a sectional view of one of the clcctromagnets and a spring 37 connected thereto. stud bolt 39 passes trough the axis of the helical 5 ring 37 and also through holes in the l10l(. in on )S 40 and 4-6, the latter cup being secure; to t "3 left-hand end of the magnet frame 4. After paming tl'n'ough the cup 46 the stud bolt 39 is screwed into the magnet core 38 so as to be rigid therewith while its other end is provided with nuts 41 outside the cup 40 for adjusting the tension of the spring 3?. Normall this spring tends to move the core 38 to ill? left and with it the stud-bolt 4.2

which is screwed into the right hund end of the core. passes through a hole -15 in the lower end of the lever 25 and is provided with a IGUUII- ing nut 44 by which the position of the shoe may be regulated with respect to the friction wheel 19.

In Fig. 2 it is seen that the core 15 shown in such position that when the solenoid 7 1s excited with electric current the magnet will operate to draw its core to the right against the action of the spring 37 and in doing so more the lever 25 to cther with its brake shoe 26 to the right. inasmuch as the friction wheel 19 is normally supported by the brake shoe out of contact with the friction disk the latter will rotate without producing any effect. "When, however, the brake shoe is moved to the ri ht, as explained, the friction wheel is let own on the friction disk and will be driven thereby. Upon further movement of the shoe it will be drawn enti rely out of contact with said friction wheel. The small pinions 47 on the shafts 22 mesh with the lar e ear wheels 48, 4:9 and 50. These gear w ee s are rigidly fastened to the hoisting drums 51, 52 and 53, respectively, which are loosely mounted on the rod 54 fixed to the frame-work 1 or said gear wheels and drums are respectively connected to each other so as to rotate together. Each gear wheel, as 49, Fi 3, meshes with a small gear 55 which is adapted to operate stop motion apparatus 56 mounted 1n the housing 5'? on top of the machme. Tins stop motion apparatus serves the purpose of openin the circuit closer 58 to denergizc the eliactromagnet corresponding thereto, when the curtain reaches either limit of its travel. It is to be understood that each hoisting drum is provided with such a stopmotion apparatus and that when it o crates to open its circuit closer it has no c act on the other hoisting mechanisms adjacent to it. This operation is automatic and is more fully explained hereinafter in connection with the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 5. The specific form of the preferred stop-motion apparatus is not fully shown herein but the same will form the subject-matter of a separate application, and moreover per se forms nap-art of the present invention, as any well-known stop-motion apparatus such as those used in connection with electric elevators may be used if desired.

In case of emergency, as when a fire occuts in a theater, it may be deemed necessary to drop the asbestos curtain much more quicl ly than ordinarily. I have therefore provnled a pneumatic releasing device which normal 31 may be tilled "Ill! compressed air. This air may be released by the blowing of a fuse due to the tire, if dcl'hc other end of the bolt- -12.

sired, so that the dropping of the asbestos curtain shall be cntirc y automatic.

In Fig. 2 is shown the hoisting ap 'iarutus modified for this purpose. A lug ii! is sccured near the inner end of the arm 32 through a hole in which passes loosely a vertical rod 61 which may be secured to a flexible diaphragm in the pneumatic device 59. This pneumatic device is secured in proper position by means of the brackets 60 to the framework 1. On the rod 61 intermediate the diaphragm and the lug (i5 is a compression sprmg (54 held in place by the cup 63 and nut 62. The extreme lower end of the rod 61 is provided with a nut (36 which is adapted to engage the lug 65 but is normally out of engagement therewith as shown in Fig. 2.

The 0 aeration of this construction, Fig. 2 is as fol ows: Normally the spring 3? acts to lift the friction wheel 19 out of engagement with the friction disk 13 but the pinion 67 remains in mesh with the train of gears connected to the hoisting drum. The spring 37 is made of suliicient strength to lift the friction wheel 19 and its pinion 67 and also act against the spring 64 of the pneumatic device. 'hen the air pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm in the casing 59 is relieved the rod 61 moves upwardly under the action of the flexible diaphragm in the casing 59 and with it the nut 66 which engages the lug 65 and carries the shaft 22 upwardly so far that the pinion 67 is taken out of engagement with the train of gears between the same and the drum gear 48. The weight of the curtain will now act to lower the same independently of the friction-wheel. The lowering of the curtain thus by gravity may be too quickly done, so that if desired a dash-pot mechanism 69 (F ig. 1) may be connected with the drum ear 48 by means of a pinion which medltes with the same and is mounted on the shaft 73. This shaft is mounted in fixed hearings in the upper portion of the frame-work l and has secured to it at its right-hand end, as viewed in Fi 1, a bevel gear 72 which meshes with a sinular bevel gear 71. The latter is fixed to the upper end of the dash-pot iston rod 10 which is screw-threaded at its owcr end and is adapted to pass through a threaded opening in the center of the dash-pot piston. This particular form of dash-pol. ju'r sc forms no part of the present. invention but is disclosed and claimed in the patent. lit-rcinbeforc referred to. An ordinary form of dash-pot may be used if desired but the one described in said patent is deemed prcfcruble.

It is soon that the shaft. 73 is extended toward the right and is provided at its outer cud with a squared portion 74 on whuh a crank may be fitted to manually raise the curtain, if desired, when the pneumatic device may a ain be set so as to release the arm 32. 1 ion this occurs the apymg (54 may act to force the pinion l7 1nto mesh with the gear 75 and a so force the friction wheel 19 into intimate contact with the brake shoe 26. This holding power or braking effect is necessary inasmuch as asbestos curtains are usually the heaviest. The tension of the spring 64 and consequently the frictional engagement between the wheel 19 and its driving disk 16 may be valled or regulated by means of the nut 62. lVlth the curtain hoist illustrated in Fig. 3, it should be noted, no spring, as 64, is necessary to hold the friction wheel and disk in contact, this being effected by the weight of the curtain acting through the gear 49 and P1111011 47 to move the shaft 22 and consequently the friction wheel 20 in a downward direction. This is evident when the hoisting rope is considered passing upwardly from the drum 52 in Fig. The load connected to the hoisting rope tends to rotate the said drum in a clockwise direction. The gear 49 acts on the pinion 47 tending to rotate it in an anti-clockwise direction, and at the same time swing the arm 32 on the shaft 24 as a fulcrum. This necessarily results in a downward thrust on the wheel 20, causing the latter to be brought into frictional engagement with the driving member 13 in proportion to the load. 01', if the driving member 13 be considered rotating in an anticlockwise direction so as to wind the hoisting rope on the drum, the friction wheel 20 will rotate in a. clockwise direction and the pinion 47 will tend to travel downwardly on the gear 49. The greater the load to be lifted the greater this tendency, and, therefore, the reater the frictional engagement between t 1e friction wheel 20 and the driving member 1;. Although I have shown this feature of my invention in hoist.- ing apparatus, it is to be understood that it may be applied elsewhere, as the gear 49 may be connected to various devices to he operated. and whenever the load varies the frictional connection of the driving apparatus varies. Furtl'icrmore, I do not wish to i be limited to the form of intermediate mechanism between the driving member 13 l and the driven member 52, nor to the means illustrated which o acts with such intcrmediate mechanism to autonmtically regulate the driving friction so that the latter will be in proportion to the load. For instance, the lever 32 may be fulcrumed on the drum shaft 54. or an arc-shaped slot may hold the \VllQt'l 20 from lateral displaccment and limit its upward movement. but f permit the application of the brake wheel I keeping the pinion 47 in mosh to the gear 49. Inasmuch as the driving shaft 10 the wheels, disks,

and or rollers 13 mountedl thereon move to et-her as a single devil-o, it; is obvious that t c shaft 10 and members 13 may be replaced. by a shaft of enlarged diameter or by a shaft and a single drmn mounted thereon. It may be said, further, that if the periphery of such a drum and the peripheries of the wheels 20 are covered with leather, rubber, cotton or the like, the gearing ratio nmy be smaller than when metal peripheries are brought into frictional engagement. Furthermore, in order that the same motor may be used to raise the heavier asbestos curtain, reducing gears 75 and 76 are fixed to the shaft 77 so as to mesh respectively with the pinion .67 and drum gear 48. It is seen that the gear 75 is much larger than the small gear 76. The ratio of these two gears, as well as that of any other set or of all the gears, may be varied as desired in a well-known manner. If the reducing gear is omitted the spring 64 may also be omitted, the action then being the same as explained in the. last paragraph in reference to the structure shown in Fi 3.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be explained how the hoisting mechanisms may be brought into operation one after almther or in groups, as desired, from a single station, wher by the manipulation of a bank of push-buttons and aswitch, the electromagnetic releasing devices may be controlled. Fig. 5 represents diagrammatically the appa-ratus and system of circuits for carrying out these results. and designate the main lines from the source of supply of constant )otential, and 78 is the main line switch. 79 designates the armature of a motor having a shunt field 85. 80 and 81 are reversing switches and 83 the starting resistance. 82 is a manual switch for controlling the accelerating magnets 91. 8+ designates the bank of push-buttons by means of which one or more of the brake magnets 86 may be selected.

The electric motor is shunt wound and has preferably a very strong field which may be governed if desired between the limits of approximately 600 to 1200 rmolutions per minute by inserting l'QSlSi-ill'li'ft in circuit with the field winding. In the main circuit there I are shown four starting resistant-cs 37. RS,

89 and 90 which are control led by the acct-lcrating magnets 92, 93, 94 and S15, Thos accelerating magnets are in turn controlled by the manual. switch B2. The main circuit contains also slow speed resistances, as for I instance the resistances 9" and 97 which are controlled by the slow speed nmgnols, 98 and 99 which are also connected to the manual switch 82.

"he reversing switches 80 and SI t'tlt'll comprise an electromagnet I00 and 101 having the cores 102 and 103. respectively. which are fixed to the bars or l)l:ll0.-i of insulation 104 and 105. These plates each carry three contacts 106, 107, 108 and 109, 110, 111 which are adapted to engage the fixed contacts 112, 113, 11-1 and I15, 116, 117, rcspmztively, upon the encrgization of the n'utgnct 100 or 101. The movable contacts 106, 107 and 108 are connected respectively to the binding posts 118, 119 and 120 by means of flexible conductors; the movable contacts 101), 1.10 and 111 are likewise connected to the binding posts 121, 122 and 123. The binding posts 119 and 122 are connected respectively to the binding posts 124 and 125 of the stop motion and brake circuits hereinafter described. '1 be binding post 118 is connected by the conductor 126 to the brush 127 of the motor-arlmtture 7%), the other brush 128 being connected by the conductor 129 to the resistances 90 and 96. The binding posts 120 and 123 are connected together and by wire 133 to the resistance 8'? and also to the fixed contacts 134, 135, 136 and 137. It should also be notedthat a wire 130 leads from the wire 126 to the fixed contacts 131 and 132.

Referring now to the manualvcontrolling switch 82 it will be seen that the same comprises a plurality of arc-shaped fixed contact strips concentrically arran ed. These strips may be secured to a base 0 slate or other insulating material. The cont-rolling switch is here shown made of insulating material with contact strips or bridging pieces 131 and 135 secured to it. This lever may be of other material, however, and the bridgiug pieces separated electrically from it by means of insulation.

In order to start the motor the lever 1-11 upon the direction in which the motor is to be run. Normally, that is, when the lever 141 is in central position, as shown, the pieces 131 and 135 bridge respectively the strips 136, 137 and the strips 139 and 140. The strip 139 is electrically isolated. Then the lever 141 is moved to the right to the position indicated by the dotted lines H2, the piece 135 will engage the strip 143. This will result in closing the following circuit: from the positive main through the wiref 14 1, to and through the coil 101, wire 1-15, strip 143, bridging contact 135, circular contact strip 140, wires 14?, HT and 148 to the negative main.

The closing of the circuit just traced effects the closing of the reversing switch 81 which establishes a circuit through the motor-armature as indicated by heavy lines and which may be traced as follows :---from the positive main by wire 14-1, to and.

through the contacts 115, 109, wires 126. 149, brush 127, motor-armature 7!), brush 1'28, wire 12!), resistances 90, 8t), 88 and 87, wire 133, contacts 111, 111', and wire 148 to the negative main. There is also established a. circuit in shout to the urn'mt'ure from wire 130 by wire 150, to cmltact strip 137, and through bridging contact: 131, strip 136,wire 151, magnet 98, wire 152 to the point 153 where the wire 12%) from the brush 12B joins the resistances U6 and 90. The cncrgization ot' the slowspced magnet 98 will cause the movable contact 151 to engage the fixed conincl 131 and insert the resistance 96 in parallel with the armature through wire 130 to the point 153. The circuit of the shunt field 85 is also closed from binding post 12-2 through wires 155, 156, 1.37, 147, and 148 to the negative main. The motor will now start with the resistances S7, S8, 89 and 90 in series with the armature and the resistance 96 in parallel with the armature, this being; the condition of slowest speed.

Let the switch lever 141 be moved a little farther toward the right so that the bridge contact 134 shall engage the strip 138 as indicuted by the dotted line 189. The space between the strips 136 and 138 is a little less than the width of the bridge contact 134 so that the latter will engage the strip 138 be fore it leaves the strip 136. As soon as the contact 134: engages the strip 138, current may flow through wire 150, strip 137, contact 134, strip 138, wire 158 to the other slow speed magnet 99 and by way of wire 152 to the point 153. hen the contact 131 leaves the strip 136 the magnet 98 is definergized and the contacts 154 and 131 separated. Before this occurs, however, the contacts 159 and 132 are connected by the magnet 99 so that when contact 131 engages the strip 138 alone, both the resistances 96 and I 97 will be placed parallel to the m0tor-arma is moved to the r1ght or left depending ture. The resistance parallel to the armature is therefore increased and the speed of the motor slight-1y accelerated. A further movement of the lever 141 to the right onto contact strip 159 will cause current to How by way of wire 163 through resistance 164 and accelerating magnet 92, wires 16:), 152 to point 153. The movable contact 166 will be drawn 11 against the fixed contact 134' and thus smrt-circuit the resistance 87. The next step occurs when the contact 134 leaves the strip 138 when the magnet 99 will 115 be deener ized and the resistances 96, 97

removed mm the circuit. The resistances 88, 89 and 90 are now in series with the ari mature, the motor running at an increased s eed.

When the contact 134 is moved onto contact 160 current flows through wire 16?, resistaucc 168, coil 93. coil 92. wires 165, 152 to point 153. It will be noticed that although the rcsistiuice 164 is cut outby thislast opera- 125 [ion the coil 92 remains in circuit. The resistance 168 is lessened to an amount approximately equal to the resistance of the coil ()2 so that the amount f current shall be about the same as before. hen the coil 138 93 is ener zed the contacts 135, 171 will he closed an both the resistances B7 and 88 short-circuited. This will result in unancrease of speed of the motor. In a similar manner also the resistances 89 and 90 are short -circuited by a further movement of the lever 1.41 to bring the motor up to full speed.

It should be noted thatthe coils 92, 93, 94 and 95 are so connected with the resistances 164 168 and 170 that the amount of current through the energized coils remains the same whether one or more are energized. That is, when only the coil 92 is energized the resistance 164 is sullicient to cut down the current to what it will be when all the coils are connected in series and all of them enen gized. The difference between the resistauces 164 and 168 is equal to the resistance of the coil 9'2 and the difference between the resistances 164 and 170 is equal to the combined resistances of'tho coils 92 and 93. It is also to be noted that with this arrangement of accelerating magnets to control the starting resistance, I am enabled to bring the speed of the motor up toany speed desired dependent upon the position of the manual controlling switch. Furthermore, by returning the switch lever 141 I am enabled to reduce the speed of the motor to any point dependent upon the position of said lever. In other words, the speed of the motor is always dependent upon the position of the switch lever 111 and may be increased or decreased in speed at will. It is desirable to proportion the starting resistances so as to give the widest possible range of speed for the motor.

Referring to the push-buttons M which are ada )ted to control the brake magnets 86, it will be noticed that said push-buttons are each provided with two electromagnets each tending to 0 10111161119 push-buttons in the same direction. The upper line of solenoids 177 are connected in series with each other and are normally energized by current passing from the positive main, to and through the coulut'l' 116. wire 174, contacts 175. wire 1T6, solenoids 177. and wires 15? and 14? to the negative main. Current is always passing through this circuit when the main line switch 78 is closed but the intensity of magnetism induced in the solenoids of the upper line of electromagnets is insufiicient to close the series of contacts 178 of the push-lmtton circuits. When, however, a push-button is pressed in to close one of the sets of contacts 178 the elcctromagnct 177 of that push-button will have suliicicnt strength to hold it closed. So long as the manual controlling switch 82 remains in central position and neither reversing switch is closed the contacts 175 will remain closed and the operation of one or more of the push-buttons 84 will have no operative eflect exec t to set them in readiness to energize the wake magnets and thus automatically connect a hoisting apparatus to a revolving friction disk. That is, the circuit thread: the upper line of solenoids being a hol in or rctainin circuit, will serve to hold a union resser in after onus having been operated so that any particular group of curtains unity} be selected to be oisted before-hand. pen the operation of the automatic limit switches the buttons will be released to return to their normal positions.

Each of the brake magnets 86 is )rovidecl with a down limit switch 180 an an up limit switch 181, the coils of the magnets 86 being connected to them at. intermediate points. All of the clown limit switches are connected to the binding posts 124 and the up limit switches to the binding posts 125. It will be apparent that when one reversing switch is closed the other is in open osition and that therefore the circuit from t e positive main to one set of limit switches is always broken. For instance, the down limit switches cannot convey current when the movement of the a paratus is u ward; the same condition 1101 s with regar to the up limit switches whose circuits are broken when the down reversing switch is operated.

As soon as the current begins to flow in the shunt field circuit the magnet 182 inserted therein separates the contacts 175, which has the effect of denergizin the uper line of clectromagnet-s 177 of te pushaitton aliparatus S4. The push-buttons which hat. been operated would then fly out; to-thcir normal positions by reason of the springs 183, unless held in by the action of one of the brake magnet circuits.

Assuming that. all the ash-buttons have been operated and are belt in circuit closing position by the upper line of clectromagnets 17?, lot the switch lever H1 be moved to the right to operate the up reversing switch. The shunt field circuit being closed the magnet 13:? will he energized to separate the contacts 175 to break the circuit of the magnets 177. But substantially at the same time that this occurs current flows from the positive main to the contacts 116. 110, hinding posts 122, 125, and in parallel through the circuits 185, the up limit switches 181. brake magnets 86, circuits 186, elcctromagnets 181, contacts 173,10 the wire 157. wire 14? and thence to the ne mtivc. main. The clectrmua nets 181 wi I therefore he energized to lltlltl tlll pushliuttons in pressed-in position and eouse' qucutly maintain the selected brake. magnets energized. If a number of push-buttons less than all be energized. those which have not, been operated will remain inoperative by reason of the contacts COI'lll'OlltKl thereby rehilt Vining in. open position. The. brake mugts in series, respectivel with the electronets .184. ofusneh Rus-buttone will con [negligently not be enerfized.

" he motor havin )een put in motion, its speed may be varie as desired and the brake magnets correspondmgto the operated ushbuttons will re ease their brake eppara us to cheat the actuation of the corresponding hoistin drums. The drums will continue to revo ve until the brake circuit is broken by the stop-motion apparatus. The pushbutton is then automatically released but the motion of the motor may continue, leaving the drum and consequently the curtain in the position determined by the setting of the stop-motion. TWhen the controlling switch 82 is brought back to central osition, the motor will, of course, stop, a bra e bcin applied nutomntically wh ch is release by means of a brake magnet 18! whenever the motor is operated. In this position of the controlling switch no current flows through the shunt field so that the contacts 175 automatically close and the circuit through the holding coils of the electromagnets 177 is again established.

Any suitable form of stop'motion apparatus may be used in connection with the curtain hoisting apparatus herein disclosed but I prefer to use a particular construction, the housing of which is shown at 57 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, incloses a luralit-y of cams 56 one for each of the 'mit switches. The cams are rotated by means of the gear mechanism 75, 55, etc., which mesh with the drum gears 48, 49, etc, respectively. Atthe desired limit of movement of the hoisting drum the cams 56 operate a lever 188 to which is secured the circuit closer 58 of one of the limit switches. It is to be understood that there are two circuit-closing levers 188 connected to each drum, one lever to operate the u limit switch and the other the down imit switch.

When the controlling switch lever 141 is moved to the ri 'ht the curtain will travel upwardly until t c upper limit switch is operated and when the lever 141 is moved to the left the curtain will be lowered until the lower limit switch is operated.

Although I have herein shown only one form of my invention, I desire it to be understood that modifications of the details of construction and arrangements of parts may he made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein disclosed and claimed.

What I claim and desire to have protected by Letters Patent of the United States is l. The coml'iinntion with multiple hoisting mechanism, of rolling frictional driving mechanism therefor, and means for operating said driving mechanism at will.

2. The combination with multiple hoisting mechanism, of rollin v frictional driving mechanism therefor, nnd clectrounmlnmicul means for mun-cling said frictional driving mechanism.

3. The combination with multiple hoisting mechanism, of fl'ltltltllltil driving mech anism therefor, brakes for said drivin mechanism, and means for operating sai brakes.

4. The combination with multiple l1oistlug mechanism, of frictional driving mccln anism therefor, brakes for said driving mechanism to effect a stopping of the hoisting mechanism, and electromechanical apparatus for operating said brakes.

5. The combination with multiple hoisting mechanism, of driving mechanism therefor, brake apparatus for said driving mechanism, and means for operating any portion of said brake n; )pnrntus to disconnect parts of the driving mechanism and positively returd the corresponding portion of the hoisting mechanism.

(5. The combination with multiple hoisting. mechanism, of frictional drivin mechanism therefor, brake apparatus or said driving mechanism to effect a stopping of individual portions of the hoisting mechanism, and electromechanical means for opernting said brake apparatus to release a selected portion thereof and permit corresponding parts of said driving apparatus to be connected to effect the operation of the selected portion of the hoisting mechanism.

7. The combination with a hoistin drum, of n friction wheel, spur genrin etween the drum and wheel, menus for during said friction wheel to effect a movement of the hoisting drum, a brake associated with said driven friction wheel, and means for operating said brake to retard the friction wheel and disengage the same from the driving means.

8. The combination with hoisting mechanism, of frictional driving mechanism therefor, spur gearing between the hoisting and driving mechanisms, means for disconnecting parts of said driving mechanism and efi'ecting a stopping of said hoisting mechanism, and means for actuating said disconnecting menus to effectthe operation of said mechanism.

J. The combination with a hoisting drum, of a friction wheel connected thereto, spur gearing between the drum and wheel; afriction member for driving sn id friction wheel to ellect the operation of said hoisting drum, means for disconnecting said friction wheel from said friction member and retarding the motion of said wheel, and means for operating said disconnecting means.

10. 'lhccombinntion with n hoislin drum, of n friction wheel spur gearing between the drum and wheel, a friction member for driving said wheel, means comprising a brake for scpswating the drum and wheel and braking the latter, and means for operating said brake.

l1. 'lliccmnbination with a hoistingdrtnn, of a friction wheel geared thereto, means for (hiring said friction wheel, electrically controlled means for lifting said friction wheel to disconnect the same from said driving-moans, and means for operating said lifting means.

12. The combination wit-ha hoisting drum, of a wheel, spur gearing between the said drum and wheel, a swinging arm carrying said wheel, a driving member, a brake for said wheel, and means for operating said brake to disconnect said wheel and said driving member and effect a stopping of the hoisting drum.

13. The combination witha hoisting drum, of a friction wheel connected thereto,a driving member, a swinging arm carrying said friction wheel, a swinging brake, a rod on which said arm and brake are pivoted, and means for operating said brake to disconnect said friction wheel and driving member, and effect a stopping of the drum.

14. The combination with a hoisting drum, of a friction wheel connected thereto, a driving member, a swinging arm carrying said friction wheel, a brake shoe, aswinging brake arm, a single supporting means for said arms, and means for actuating said brake arm to apply said brake shoe to said friction wheel and lift the same out of cngagement with the driving member, and means for actuating said brake arm to release the brake shoe and permit said friction wheel to fall into engagement with said driving member.

15. The combination with a hoistingdrnm, of a wheel, a pinion connected with said wheel to rotate therewith and connected also to said drlnn, an arm carrying said wheel and said pinion, means for driving said wheel, and brake mechanism for connecting or disconnecting said wheel and stopping the hoisting drum.

16. The combination with a hoistiiwdruln, of a combined brake wheel and riot-ion wheel, a friction driving member. a swinging arm carrying said brake wheeh a brake, means for normally holding said brake applied and the brake wheel out of engagement with the driving member. and electro-magnctic means for actuating said brake to release the same and to efi'ect a connection of said brake wheel and driving means.

17. The combination with a driven member, of a frictional driving member, and intermediate connecting means between said members to effect a variation of the driving friction in proportion to the variation of;

load connected to said driven member.

18. The combination with a movable member, of a friction wheel gear connections between said parts, a frictional driving inculher, and means retaining said friction wheel in position but permitting nmvetm-nt thereof as a whole to ctl'ect a variation of frictional contact with the driving member as the load on said movable member varies.

19. The combination with a winding drum, of a frictional driving member, a friction wheel geared to said drum, and means associated with said friction wheel to permit the latter to be moved bodily by the load to produce friction in proportion to the latter.

20. The combination with a hoisting drum, of frictional driving apparatus geared thereto, and means associated with said driving apparatus to cause the load to increase or decrease the friction automatically.

21. The combination with a driven member, of driving apparatus therefor normally tending to go into action, means for bolding it out of action, and electrical controlling means for said driving apparatus and for said holding means.

The combination with a hoisting drum, of a friction wheel connected thereto, a friction driving member, means for holding said friction wheel so that the de rec of friction between the same and said riving member shall vary with the load, and means for disconnecting said friction wheel from said member and effecting a stopping of said hoisting drum.

23. The combination with a hoisting drum. of a friction wheel, a friction driving member for said friction wheel, means for supporting said friction wheel to efl'ect a variation of the frictional engagement between said wheel and member dependent upon the load, a brake, and means for operating said brake to disengage said wheel and member and efl'cct. a stopping of said drum.

24. The combination with a hoisting drum, of frictional driving mechanism for said drum and dependent in its action upon variation of load, a brake for said driving mechanism, means for operating said brake to disconnect ortions of the driving mechanism and e cct a stopping of said drum, and stop motion apparatus for limiting the rotations of said drum to a predctcrn'iined number.

T he combination with a hoisting drum. of a friction wheel. a friction member, speed-reducing gear between said friction wheel and said drum. means for confining said friction \vhccl within predetermined limits of movement. means for bolding said friction wheel and friction member in engagement, a brake. and nn-ans for operating said brake to disct'inncct said wheel and member and to cficrt a stopping-of said hoisting drum.

2G. The combination with a hoisting drum, of a friction wheel. a friction driving member therefor, connections lwtwcen said friction wheel and hoisting drum, n pivoted arm carrying said friction wheel means actiu on said arm to cliect the ow gagenient o said friction wheel and driving member, a brake, and means for operating said brake.

2i. lhe combination with a hoistil'ig drum, of a friction member connected thereto, a friction driving member, resilient means for holding said members in frictional engagement with each other, a brake, means for opt-rating said brake to disengage said membersand stop the drum, and additional means for disengaging said members.

28. The combination with a hoisting drum, of a friction member, connections between said friction member and drum, a friction driving device, means for moving said friction wheel a predetermined distance and additional means for moving said friction wheel a greater distance.

The combination with a hoisting drum, of a wheel connected thereto, a driv ing member, a brake, means for operating said brake to disconnect said wheel and member, and stop the wheel, and means for disconnecting said wheel and drum.

30. The combination with a hoisting drum, of a friction wheel geared thereto, a friction driving dish, a brake for said friction wheel, means for operating said brake to disconnect said friction wheel and friction disk, and means for moving said wheel out of gear with said drum.

31. The combination with a. hoisting drum. of a friction and brake wheel, gear mecl'ianism between said wheel and drum, a friction driving drum wheel or disk cooperating with said friction and brake wheel, a brake, operating means for said brake, and means for disconnecting said gear mechanism to permit the load to operate said drum.

The combination vwith a hoisting drum, of a brake wheel, rear mechanism normally connecting said wheel and drum, :1 driving member for said wheel, a brake, brake-(.iperating means, resilient means for moving the brake wheel into engagement with the driving member when the brake released, and an emergency device for disconnecting said wheel and member and also disconnecting said wheel and drum to per mit the load to operate said drum.

The combination with n hoisting drum, of a brake wheel, a driving disk, a brake, brake operating means, movable supporting means for said wheel, a spring for effecting an engagement of said wheel and disk when the brake is. released. gear mechanism between said wheel and drum, and a pneumatic releasing device for disconnecb mg said gear mechanism to permit a free movement of said drum.

34. The combination with a hoisting resilient i holding said wheel and drum. of a brake whorl, gear mwhanisin between said wlnml and drum, :1 driving mono her, a brake, ln'alcc o mraling means. a pivoted arm carrying said wheel and a pinion of said gear l'i'imrlnlnism, yielding means for nu-inber together when the brake is released, said means not ing on said arm, and a pneumatic releasing device co-acting with said yielding means to move said pinion out of engagement with its gear to permit a free nu'ivoment of the drum.

35. Thccombiuution with a hoisting drum, of driving mechanism, connections between said mechanism and drum, a brake, brake operating means, a releasing device for altering said connections to permit a free movement of said drum, and means forretarding such movement.

36. The combination with a hoisting drum, of driving mechanism therefor, earmechanism between said driving Incc modem and hoisting drum, a brake, brake operating means, a pneumatic releashig device for altering said gear mechanism to allow a free movement of said drum, and a dash pot for retarding such movement.

37. In theater curtain hoisting apparatus, the combination with a curtain hoisting drum, of driving mechanism normally con nected thereto, a brake, brake-operating means, a pneumatic releasing device for disconnecting said driving mechanism and hoisting drum to allow the curtain to descend by its own weight, and a dash pot for regulating the speed of such descent.

38. In theater curtain hoisting apparatus, the combination with a curtain hoisting drum, of frictional driving apparatus therefor, means for operating said driving apparatus, an emergency releasing device for antomatically disconnecting said driving apparatus and drum to permit a free movement of the curtain and hoisting drum, and a dash pot for retarding such movement.

39. In theater curtain hoisting apparatus, the combination with a curtain hoisting drmn, of frictional driving apparatus therefor, means for operating said driving appara tus, a pneumatic releasing device for automatically effecting a free movement of the curtain and drum, a dash pot for retarding such movement, and stop-motion apparatus for limiting the movementof said curtain.

40. The combination with a plurality of hoisting apparatuses, of driving apparatus therefor, and means for permitting gravity to act to effect connection between said hoisting apparatuses and said driving apparatus, respectively in poi-imitations.

41. The combination with a plurality of hoisting apparatuses, of driving apparatus therefor, and releasing means to permit the action of gravity to connectany one or more of said hoisting apparatuses with said driving apparatuses at. will.

42. The combination with a plurality of hoisting apparatuses, of roller frictional drivin ap mratus therefor, and means for control ing said d riving apparatus to effect the operation of said hoisting apparatuses in permutations.

The combination with a plurality of hoisting drums, of driving mechanism for said drums, and means for controlling said mechanism to efiect the actuation of a plurality of said drums together or of any one at any desired time and the stopping of each drum after making a predetermined number of revolutions.

44. The combination with a series of hoisting drums of a friction wheel connected to each of said drums, a driving device, and means for effecting a connection between the peripheries of said wheels and sold device in any desired order.

45. The combination with a series of hoisting drums, of a circular rotatable member connected to each of said drums, a series of continuously driven circular rotatable members, and means for controlling the connection between the peripheries of said firstnamed members with the peripheries of the continuously driven members to efi'ect the operation of said drums simultaneously or in any desired order.

46. The combination with a series of hoisting drums, of a plurality of friction wheels one for each of said drums, a series of friction pinions moving together, means for moving said pinions, means for controlling said moving-means, means for connecting one or more of said friction wheels to said pinions, and means for predetermining the friction wheels which shallbe connected.

47. The combination with a series of hoisting drums, of a prime mover, means for connectin by rolling friction any one or more of suit drums to said prime mover, means for controlling said prime mover, and means for predetermining the drums which. shall be connected upon the operation of said controlling means.

48. The comhimltitm with a plurality of hoists, of brake mechanism for each hoist, elect-ro-magnetic means for releasing said brake mechanism to effect the operation of one or more of said hoists, and means for predetermining the hoists to be operated.

4.9. The cmubinutionwith a plurality of hoisting drums, of driving apparatus therefor, a plurality of brakes, one for each of said drums, eIcctro-mugncts for releasing said brakes means for controlling said driving apparatus, and means for predeterminiug the drums to be actuated upon the opcr. tion of said controlling-means.

50. The combination with a plurality of hoisting drums. of driving apparatus therefor, means for connecting by rolling fric tion any hoisting drum to'said driving up paratus, clectro-maguels for effecting the operation of said connecting means, and selecting apparatus for said clectro-nmgnets to prodctcrmine the drum or drums to be operated.

51. The combination with multiple hoisting apparatus, of driving means therefor, a plurality of brakes for said hoisting apiaratus, clectro magnets for releasing said rakes and electromagnetic selecting apparatus for said elcctro-magnets.

59. The combination with multiple hoisting apparatus, of driving apparatus therefor, a series of brakes, a corresponding series of electro-magncts for releasing said brakes and effecting the o eration of a unit of said apparatus, control ing means for said driving apparatus, a bank of push-buttons for controlling said electro-magnets, and means for holding an operated push-button in closed position.

53. In multiple curtain hoisting apparatus, the combination with a series of holsting drums, of driving apparatus therefor, brakes for said drums, clectro-magnets for releasing said brakes, a bank of push-buttons for controlling said electro-magnets, electro-lna-gnetic holding means for retaining said ush-buttous in closed position until the drum corresponding thereto has been operated and stopped.

54. The combination with a multiple curtain hoist, of a bank of push-buttons for selecting the curtains to be moved, electromagnetic means for holding said push-buttons in closed position, means for driving said curtain hoist, controlling means for said driving-means, and electro-magnetic brakes for said hoist and connected in circuit with said push-buttons.

55. The combination with multi le curtain hoisting apparatus, of a motor or operating some, means for selecting the units of said apparatus to be operated, brake mechanism, electro-magncts for operating said 110 brake mechanism, and means for controlling and operating said motor and energizing the eioctro-magnets of the selected units.

56. The combination with multiple curtain hoistin apparatus and controlling 1 5 means there or, of a motor for operating said hoisting apparatus, an elcctro-magnetio selector, :1 manual switch, and means controlled by said switch for effecting the starting, stopping and actuation of said 120 motor.

57. The combination with multiple curtain hoisting apparatus, of controlling means therefor, and clcctro-lmagnetic menus for selecting the unit of the hoisting appa- 125 ratus to be operated.

58. The con'ibinatiou with multiple curtain hoisting apparatus and controlling means therefor. of a motor For operatio said hoisting apparatus, a bank of sell 130 

